Peekskill Students Share Projects at BOCES OC21 Fall Symposium

What do students from Peekskill have in common with their peers from Bronxville, Chappaqua, Eastchester, John Jay, Lakeland, Panas and Valhalla? They’re all taking a leap into the 21st Century together thanks to PNW BOCES’ OC21 program.

On Monday, January 8, over 60 students from these high schools gathered at Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES’ Yorktown campus to take part in the OC21 program's Fall Symposium. The event was the first of the program’s two bi-annual symposiums, and invited students to discuss their classes and share their final projects with each other.

“Yesterday was an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the semester's learning,” said OC21 Project Coordinator Dr. Gregory Brown. “Students shared their course work and projects with peers from different schools and classes, which allowed each student to give and receive feedback while offering fresh perspectives on each project.”

The OC21 program offers courses that provide students with authentic learning experiences in a blended environment, coupling face-to-face learning with online learning. Students participate in two half day sessions in person with instructors, and complete the rest of their coursework in an online classroom. Course topics range from subjects such as Anthropology to “Zero to Sixty,” which guides students through writing their first novella.

At the symposium, students were also able to share about their OC21 field experience, as the program offers partnerships with companies and organizations like: Turner Construction, the American Museum of Natural History, the NFL, local farmers, Organic Chefs and Mindfulness Coaches.

When asked what they enjoyed most about taking online classes, students responded that the flexibility of the class schedule appealed to them, and that they liked getting to know other students from outside of their districts.

“One thing I really liked was being able to complete the assignments when it was convenient for me,” said Peekskill student Preston England. “I also really liked the trip when we went to the Museum of Natural History. I had a great time there.”

Students aren’t the only ones giving the OC21 program flattering reviews. Teachers have said that it offers a fresh take on instruction as well.

Peekskill teacher, Mrs. Anita Prentice, teaches Anthropology in the OC21 program and says that the program offers students a variety of experiences.

“Our students get to work collaboratively every week with students from other districts,” Prentice said. “I don't think that kind of opportunity for connection and cooperation exists elsewhere. Also, each OC21 course has a culminating project that encourages independent exploration and student choice. The experience is terrific preparation for college.”

At the symposium, Dr. Brown also spoke about the added benefits students experience from taking online courses.

“OC21 courses provide students with more than just an opportunity to learn the content of the course they are taking,” Brown said. “They also find out more about who they are as learners in a way that is new and different from their previous high school experiences. These skills are the "hidden curriculum" and are essential for life after high school.”

For more information on the OC21 program, please contact OC21 Project Coordinator Dr. Gregory Brown at 914-248-2382 or visit the OC21 webpage here.